Physicists Needed

May 4, 1986|By Charlie Jean

JUST WHEN major advances are being made in every area of physics, the nation may be faced with a serious shortage of physicists. The National Research Council warns that an increase in the number of physics teachers who are retiring and smaller physics classes may mean a decline in physics research in years ahead. In the 1970s the nation's universities awarded 1,500 doctorate degrees in physics each year, but that number has declined to 900 a year, the council said.